When will the madness end?

We read The Great Kapok Tree twice last night. We read it the first time amidst Sommer's tirade of protests. We first had to get her to calm down and stop screaming "I don't like that book!" and then I had to read Beware of Bears three times. After appeasing her, we read for a second time and prepared a list of things we decided were achievable steps to helping our environment. Hope has posted this list on her blog as well.

1. Water our plants regularly so that they are nourished and healthy.
2. Tell others about the importance of trees and plants.
3. Plant more trees.
4. Use both sides of your paper, so you won't waste resources.
5. Recycle and re-use paper for scrap paper.
6. Protect trees, especially old ones from needless cutting down.
7. Reuse grocery bags or bring your own when you shop.

P.S. When this the madness end? Some nights it feels like my head is going to crack open. I wonder how long she can keep it up and just when we think she's all tuckered out, a wail busts loose. Some kids have an enormous capacity to scream and cry. Funny thing is, she stops, smiles and is her chipper self just as quickly. Toddler mania. Anyone research that yet?

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Mommy Hint for Tantrum-less Toothbrushing

How do you get a wily child to sit still for toothbrushing? I developed a strategy long ago when Tony Jr. became a toddler. It was so hard to get him to sit still and keep his mouth open long enough for me to get to all the choppers, so I had to get creative. Sommer is hands down the wiliest child we've had. She won't sit still for anything, but brushing her teeth is no problema!

On her way to the sink, Sommer inspects all the beauty products and herself.

Game #1:
Teach your child the vowel sounds (long and short)
E: Eeeeeeee!

A: Aaaaaa!

Game #2 is pretty fun: Get those cavity creeps! It requires lots of noise and drama. Sommer opens her mouth and I get to wield the toothbrush searching out creeps. "Oh! I see one, it's up in the back! Take that you nasty cavity creep! Oooh, there's one in the front, wait, wait! I got you, you yucky creepo! Raaah, he's on your tongue! Not anymore you butt face cavity creep!" She just laughs and laughs and it's a blast for me too!

Thousands of Voices, One Day

What if, for one day, all of us rallied behind one cause? Today for Blog Action Day, we can come together with one voice on behalf of our environment. You can help by doing one of three things:
1. Write a post about an environment issue close to your heart
2. Donate your day's earnings to an environmental charity
3. Help promote Blog Action Day

You don't have to be an environmental superhero to help. Just write as you normally do, but put in some support for an environmental issue. It's one day, it's one cause, it's a big enough deal that we should all think about helping out.

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Tonight we're reading The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry and the kids and I are going to make a list of all the things we can do to help keep our environment beautiful. Then we're going to post them on our blogs. Here is a place where you can share some facts and tips for kids.